|
|
||
|
|
|
|
      
|
 |
Homosexuality: How Should the Church Respond? Pastor Mike Padgett (Glasgow Bible Church - 8/3/03)
(Fox News) At the same time that the gay culture is gaining wider acceptance, the voices of protest are growing louder. On television, you have got shows like Boy Meets Boy and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.
Meanwhile, the pope just denounced gay marriage, and a recent poll shows that mainstream Americans are not so accepting of gay lifestyles.
Question: Is homosexuality to be embraced or condemned?
(Pastor’s Weekly Briefing – parsonage.org)
The Harvey Milk High
School in New York City will open this fall
Gay High (Fox News - Another report)
Harvey Milk High School will specialize in computer technology, arts and cooking. The school will be open to straight students, but don’t expect any to apply.
Gay teen-agers often drop out of high school to escape abuse, and they have high rates of alcoholism, drug abuse, high-risk behavior and suicide.
The Fox News commentator asks, “I wonder if the Milk staff will be all gay? The new principal used to work at Brooklyn Automotive, but, well, who knows?”
WHAT
ABOUT THE DEBATE OVER SAME SEX MARRIAGE? President Bush says Americans should respect homosexuals, but he wants to make sure marriage is defined strictly as a union between a man and a woman.
The president said Wednesday (7/30/03), "I believe in the sanctity of marriage. I believe a marriage is between a man and a woman, and I think we ought to codify that one way or the other," he said. (It has already been “codified” – “canonized” in scripture, as we will see in this message.)
Still, he urged Americans not to ostracize gays. "I am mindful that we're all sinners, and I caution those who may try to take the speck out of the neighbor's eye when they got a log in their own," the president said, quoting from the Gospel of Matthew.
World Vision – AIDS Video The first President Bush, over a decade ago, commented that AIDS is the only disease that can almost completely be controlled by a change in behavior. Homosexuality has been the most devastating way AIDS has been passed to others here in the United States. In Africa, AIDS is passed from one generation to another, from one person to another because of ignorance and ancient tribal customs. The Roman Catholic Church is taking aggressive steps to underscore its commitment to traditional marriage. The Vatican launched a global campaign against gay marriages Thursday (July 31, 2003), warning Catholic politicians that support of same-sex unions was "gravely immoral" and urging non-Catholics to join the offensive.
The Catholic church determined, "There are absolutely no grounds for considering homosexual unions to be in any way similar or even remotely analogous to God's plan for marriage and family," according to its orthodoxy watchdog, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, in a 12-page guide approved by Pope John Paul II). "Marriage is holy, while homosexual acts go against the natural moral law." The Episcopal and Anglican Church are split on the subject of same sex marriage -- and of gay leaders in their pulpits.
A July 27th USA Today
piece noted that Americans are returning to a more traditional attitude
level of the mid-1990s. Asked whether Homosexuality: How Should the Church Respond? Homosexuality is an ever-increasing issue within American society. You can't turn on the television or read a newspaper without being confronted by a flood of emotions from the rights movements. Closer to home, church members are being faced with having a gay family member and struggle between acceptance and rejection. In recent years, several mainline denominations have abandoned traditional interpretations of Scripture and have embraced the Gay-Christian movement. Are people born gay, or is it a choice? Can sexual orientation be changed? Questions abound and many Christians are confused as to what they should believe or how to respond. What does the Bible really say about homosexuality, and what is the responsibility of believers in dealing with this volatile issue?
A. God's intention for human sexual relationships is limited to heterosexual union between man and woman in marriage (Genesis 1:27-28; 2:18, 23-24). God's plan is for us to be one flesh in marriage, male and female. Gen. 1:27-28 - 27 And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 And God blessed them; and God said to them, “ Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” NASB Gen. 2:18 - 18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” NASB Gen. 2:23-24 - 23 And the man said,“ This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” 24 For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” NASB You will notice… it was Adam and Eve… not Adam and Steve!! B. Sin has warped our perspective of healthy sexuality (PP) (2 Peter 2:2-3a; 3:3). 2 Pet. 2:2-3 - 2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; 3 and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. NASB 2 Pet. 3:3 - 3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, NASB C. There are many distortions in sexuality because of the effects of sin. (PP) (Turn to it - Romans 1:18-32). (PP) II. What the Bible Says About Homosexuality. A. Under Levitical law, homosexuality was one of many abominable practices punishable by death (PP) (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13). God clearly condemns the act of homosexuality. Lev. 18:22 - 22 You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination. NASB Lev. 20:13 - 13 If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltiness is upon them. NASB B. Homosexuality is a symptom of fallen humanity. We are not born gay (PP) (Turn to Romans 1:26-27). One of the clear evidences of rebellion is a turning away from God's standard for purity and morality.
Concerning research about homosexual behavior:
"Let research conclude what it may about the causes of homosexuality," concludes Joe Dallas, who left a homosexual lifestyle 10 years ago. (PP) "Genetic origins do not justify sinful behavior."
Leaders of ex-gay ministries around the country recognize hidden barriers that prevent churches from embracing those struggling with homosexuality. But church leaders who have taken the risk of venturing into this type of ministry have seen their churches affected positively.
"Our people are proud that we are a church that is true to the Bible, but living it out in progressive ways," says one pastor from a San Francisco Bay area church. "We are not compromising truth, but the congregation is thrilled that we are living out grace." (PP) "The idea of a specific gene for a specific behavior is generally considered highly unlikely by geneticists," says Joseph Nicolosi, director of the Thomas Aquinas Psychological Clinic in Encino, California. "Homosexuality is much more complex than mere behavior." C. (PP) Environmental factors greatly contribute to the developing of the homosexual lifestyle. Factors that should be considered are:
1. Early sexual abuse or
violation (Testimonials of Homosexuals) Mike Babb, former homosexual man stated, "My parents separated when I was four, due to Dad's excessive drinking. Their divorce came a year later. As a result, I felt inferior around my peers. They all had two parents and 'normal' families, while I lived with my mother and two older sisters. With no father, I lacked a role model for my masculine development. I began to feel inadequate around other boys and became emotionally dependent upon my mother."
"When I was 13, I was
raped by a family friend. I was too afraid to tell anyone, especially my
dad. So I 'stuffed' down the fear and anger for the next 15 years.
Bitterness brewed inside. In fact, my real self, my femininity, was
buried by it, although I didn't realize it for years. My father warned
me to never trust men. In my third year of college I met a woman who
gave the unconditional love I'd been seeking for years, but never
received at home." -- Starla Allen, former lesbian D. (PP) Homosexuality is a forgivable sin as one repents of their sin and turns to God. God is clear about the consequences of an unrighteous lifestyle such as homosexuality, as with other sinful lifestyles. Jesus took our sin upon Himself. When we recognize our need for Jesus and repent we are born again and receive forgiveness of sin. PLAN OF SALVATION (PP) III. How Should Christians Respond and Reach Out?
A.
(PP)
Do not fear homosexuals.
They are not as different from you as you think. All of us have been
involved in varying sinful lifestyles. "For
all have sinned and fall
short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). 1 Jn. 4:9-10 - 9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love , not that we loved God , but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins . NASB
1 Cor. 6:11 - 11 And such were some of you; but you were washed , but you were sanctified , but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ , and in the Spirit of our God . NASB Thousands of men and women have overcome homosexuality and are able to lead celibate lives. Many continue in their healing and marry and have families. G. (PP) Pray for them. Love and commit to them. "Remember those in prison, as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering" (Hebrews 13:3). All of us have been in a “prison of sin” at some point in our lives. Remember where you came from, where the Lord found you and love the lost to Jesus. (PP) II Peter 3:9 2 Pet. 3:9 - 9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. NASB 2 Pet. 3:9 - The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance. Amplified New Testament PRAYER Lord, we know you love all sinners. We in no way want to minimize your care and concern for the homosexual community. We want to show them your love and bring them into your grace through Jesus Christ your Son.
Please help us as a church to be kind, considerate and loving to everyone so as to win a hearing for the Gospel. If there are persons here today who are struggling with this type of sin in their lives, help them to hear your Holy Spirit calling them to repentance. Help the family members who may be struggling with feeling of rejection toward a loved one who has chosen this way of sin. Help the family to be loving and full of grace toward that one just as they would be toward anyone else following an alternate sinful lifestyle. Let us experience your love and grace now in this invitation time. In the name of Jesus our Lord. Amen. Rom. 1:24-28 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their [own] hearts to sexual impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves [abandoning them to the degrading power of sin], 25 Because they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, Who is blessed forever! Amen (so be it). [Jer. 2:11]. 26 For this reason God gave them over and abandoned them to vile affections and degrading passions. For their women exchanged their natural function for an unnatural and abnormal one, 27 And the men also turned from natural relations with women and were set ablaze (burning out, consumed) with lust for one another—men committing shameful acts with men and suffering in their own bodies and personalities the inevitable consequences and penalty of their wrong-doing and going astray, which was [their] fitting retribution. 28 And so, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God or approve of Him or consider Him worth the knowing, God gave them over to a base and condemned mind to do things not proper or decent but loathsome, Amplified New Testament Rom. 1:24-28 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. 26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. 28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. NIV
NEW LIVING TRANSLATION Romans 1:26-27 That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other (homosexuality or lesbianism). And the men, instead of having normal sexual relationships with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men and, as a result, suffered within themselves the penalty they so richly deserved.
Exodus International
Exodus North America National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) is an organization of nearly 700 professionals across the country who treat homosexuality from a variety of perspectives. Contact them by writing:
NARTH Homosexuals Anonymous
HA
Books
Regeneration Books
Eventually, every church
will encounter someone who is struggling with homosexuality. Your
response is critical to encouraging their healing and walk with God.
Some titles to look for are: Web Sites
Exodus
International
--
www.exodusinternational.org
Additional Resources
Church and Theology Each booklet is written from the experience of professional authors and counselors. Some are excerpts from outstanding Christian books, others are based on lectures and workshops presented at the Exodus International conferences.
Background information for use with II. B. -- Sermon Outline,
"Homosexuality is a symptom of fallen humanity. We are not born gay."
Anecdotal comments from former homosexuals to be used in support of II.C.
-- Sermon Outline, "Environmental causes greatly contribute to the
developing of the homosexual lifestyle."
|
Events
Links Staff
1514 N. Race St. Glasgow, KY 270-651-6233
website hosting / design by
www.hightechministry.org
